South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
If you have experienced an accident of any kind in Florida, whether it’s a slip or fall; an accident involving a car, recreational vehicle, or bike; a water sports accident; or an accident at an amusement park, public event, or hotel or rental property; please seek medical attention immediately, especially if there has been any injury or jolt to your neck or head. Do not enter into an agreement with any insurance company before sufficient time has passed to determine your level of injuries.
In Florida, anyone involved in a car accident must be examined by an approved medical provider within 14 days of the incident in order to be eligible for PIP coverage. PIP (personal injury protection) covers up to $10,000 of medical bills and lost wages. So that’s the first step for any accident involving an automobile, even if you were walking or riding a bike when the accident occurred. But that’s only the first step.
Regardless of the type of injury, get a thorough examination to officially document your injuries and your condition at the time of the accident, keeping in mind that injuries often appear in the days or weeks following an accident. Cognitive injuries can sometimes take a little while to recognize because you might consider them normal at first. You’re shaken up by the accident, maybe emotionally upset. But these emotions should not linger and various cognitive problems are a sign of injury.
Signs of a cognitive injury
Some warning signals that you have sustained cognitive injury include:
- Difficulty remembering things
- Trouble paying attention
- New experience of brain fog/confusion
- Frequent headaches, dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty speaking or understanding spoken or written words, signs, etc.
- Trouble recognizing people, places, or things
- A sense of agitation or distress that cannot be attributed to any obvious cause
- Difficulty completing daily tasks
- New experiences of depression, anxiety, overwhelm, mood swings
- Changes in behavior or personality
- Difficulty with coordination, walking, grasping
- Not being able to make your body do what you want it to do
- Change in any of your senses (such as double vision, ringing in ears, odd smells or tastes, numbness)
These are just a few of the possible signs of cognitive injury. Some of them mimic stroke symptoms because stroke is a brain injury. Injury to the neck can cause drastic problems, since the nerves from the brain go through the neck to every other part of the body, and injury to the neck can also mean injury to the base of the brain or the spine.
What to do if you suspect a cognitive injury
If you suspect a cognitive injury, you need to be evaluated by an expert in the field, preferably a doctor who has expertise working with victims of accidents. Go with a friend who can help you define what changes have taken place in your life since the accident and can corroborate these changes. The doctor will probably order some imaging tests, which could show damage, fluid, inflammation, or other issues that may explain your symptoms.
All of this should be carefully documented. The doctor will keep records, but you will want to keep a log of your appointments and everything that is said and done. If your injury limits your ability to do so, have a friend or loved one keep the log for you. You will definitely need an advocate to help you if you have sustained cognitive injuries.
You will also need a legal advocate who knows how to help you receive just compensation for your injuries. As a Florida personal injury lawyer, I am committed to helping Florida residents throughout the state receive just and fair compensation to help them cope with the injuries they have sustained through someone else’s negligence.
Every case I take on becomes personal to me, as if one of my friends or loved ones had been injured, and I work vigorously to uncover every possible expense or complication for my clients to help them get the maximum settlement for their injuries. I’m not afraid to go to court if necessary, and I have a track record of winning significant awards. Contact me today, 24/7, at (954) 448-7288, to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.